Free Case Evaluation
Ohio Birth Trauma Lawyers
Legal help when your child is injured during the birth process in Ohio
One of life’s most joyful moments is welcoming a baby into the world. You’ve spent months preparing for your child’s arrival. But what happens when this moment is overshadowed by unexpected issues? Birth trauma is a devastating reality for families, leaving them with emotional scars, physical challenges, and unanswered questions.
At Crandall & Pera Law, LLC, we understand how overwhelming these cases can be for parents. We understand the challenges you’re facing, and we want to help. Legal action can help you get justice and support for your child.
Free Case Evaluation
What is birth trauma?
Birth trauma refers to injuries sustained by a baby or mother during labor and delivery. These injuries can range from temporary and mild to severe and life-changing. Some birth injuries are unavoidable; however, others often result from medical negligence or preventable errors.
For a baby, birth trauma can include conditions like:
- Cerebral palsy (CP), which is a disorder that affects movement and muscle coordination. CP Is often linked to oxygen deprivation during delivery.
- Brachial plexus injuries, which is damage to the nerves controlling the arm and hand. These injuries are sometimes caused by improper handling during a difficult delivery.
- Fractures, as bones can be broken during delivery, especially in cases of shoulder dystocia (when the baby’s shoulder gets stuck).
- Brain injuries, which can occur due to improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors, or delays in addressing fetal distress.
For the mother, birth trauma can include physical injuries, such as tearing or hemorrhaging, or emotional trauma due to negligence or poor communication during delivery.
What causes birth trauma?
A variety of factors can contribute to birth trauma. While some are unavoidable, many stem from preventable mistakes. Here are some common causes of Ohio birth trauma cases.
Failure to monitor fetal distress
Nurses and doctors use tools like fetal heart monitors to make sure a baby is doing well during labor. If they miss signs of distress, like a drop in the baby’s heart rate, it can lead to oxygen deprivation or other complications.
Improper use of delivery tools
Although forceps and vacuum extractors can be helpful during a difficult delivery, they also require skill and care. Misusing these tools can cause head injuries, brain damage, or nerve damage to the baby.
Delayed C-section
There are times when a baby can’t be delivered safely through a natural birth. When doctors delay or fail to recommend a C-section in time, it increases the risk of birth injuries like oxygen deprivation.
Excessive force during delivery
During complicated deliveries, doctors must carefully maneuver the baby, especially if the baby is large or in an unusual position. Too much force can lead to bone fractures or nerve damage.
Medication errors
Administering too much or too little medication during labor can harm both the mother and child. For example, improper use of labor-inducing drugs like Pitocin can lead to overly strong contractions that can stress the baby’s physical health.
What are the consequences of birth trauma?
Birth trauma doesn’t affect just the baby or mother. It can have long-lasting impacts on the entire family. Birth injuries can lead to lifelong challenges. For example, a child with CP may face difficulties with mobility, speech, and independence. Brachial plexus injuries can require surgeries, physical therapy, or leave the child with limited use of the arm.
These challenges mean additional medical costs, therapy, and special education needs, which can be emotionally and financially draining.
Further, witnessing your baby suffer can be traumatic. Parents might feel guilty, wondering if they could have done something differently. You might also experience financial strain from medical bills and reduced work hours to care for your child.
When a child has special needs due to birth trauma, siblings might feel neglected, as parents focus on the injured child. It can be challenging to balance care and attention for all children in the family.
How can an Ohio birth trauma lawyer help with my case?
If you suspect your baby’s injury was caused by medical negligence or malpractice, the experienced birth injury lawyers at Crandall & Pera Law can help you understand your rights and legal options. Here’s how we can help:
- Our attorneys will gather medical records, consult with experts, and examine the events leading up to and during delivery to determine if and how negligence occurred.
- If we find evidence of negligence, we’ll file a claim against the responsible party, which could include the doctor, nurse, or hospital.
- A birth trauma lawsuit can help you recover compensation for medical expenses (current and future), therapy and rehabilitation costs, special education needs, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Our attorneys don’t just handle the legal side – we also provide guidance and understanding during what we know is a very difficult time.
What are Ohio’s medical malpractice laws?
If you’re considering legal action due to birth trauma, it’s important to understand Ohio’s medical malpractice laws.
In Ohio, you only have one year from when the injury was discovered (or should have been discovered) to file a medical malpractice claim. For minors, however, the time frame might be extended. Our Ohio birth trauma lawyers can explain more about this in a consultation.
Ohio also limits non-economic damages (like pain and suffering) in medical malpractice cases. However, there’s no cap on economic damages, such as medical bills and lost wages.
Ohio requires a medical expert to testify that negligence occurred. This makes it important to work with an attorney who has access to qualified experts.
How do I choose the right Ohio birth trauma attorney?
It’s important to find the right attorney for your birth trauma case. Look for the following when choosing an Ohio birth trauma attorney:
- You want an attorney with experience in handling the complexities of medical malpractice and birth injuries.
- Choose someone familiar with Ohio’s legal system.
- Your attorney should listen to your concerns and keep you informed every step of the way.
- Ask about their experience with similar cases and their success rate in securing compensation for families like yours.
Ohio birth trauma lawyers working for you and your family
If your child suffered a birth injury in Ohio, you deserve answers and justice. At Crandall & Pera Law, we fight for families impacted by medical negligence, helping them secure the compensation they need for a brighter future. Contact us today for a free consultation—we want to hold those responsible accountable and get your family the support you deserve. To schedule your consultation, call our offices or fill out our contact form. We have offices in Cleveland, Cincinnati or Chagrin Falls.